Remains found in Calif. desert ID'd as those of missing San Diego area family

The skeletal remains of four people were found this week in the desert outside of Victorville, Calif. Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their two kids Gianni, 4 and Joseph, 3, vanished in 2010 from their home. The remains of two of four bodies have been identified as the missing husband and wife but it remains unclear if the other bodies are the two young sons.

By Andrew Blankstein, Investigative Reporter, NBC News

More than three years ago the McStay family -- Joseph, Summer and their two young sons – seemed to vanish into thin air, but Friday authorities confirmed that four sets of skeletal remains found in California’s Mojave Desert are likely those of the couple and their two boys.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said at a press conference that the remains were identified through dental records as those of Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife, Summer, 43.

Authorities are in the process of identifying additional skeletal remains that are believed to be those of the couple's sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr., who were 4 and 3, respectively, at the time of their disappearance.

The case is now being investigated as a multiple murder. McMahon said no suspect or suspects have been identified but held out hope that evidence at the scene where the bodies were found would eventually lead investigators to whoever was responsible for the killings.

"We will put the pieces together with all hope of solving this crime, McMahon said. "There is ... evidence at the scene that will help the investigation. The investigation will lead us in the direction of the suspects as we get more information."

The family was last heard from on Feb. 4, 2010. Detectives found no signs of a struggle at the family's Fallbrook, Calif., home and their empty white Isuzu Trooper later was found in San Ysidro mall parking lot, a short distance from the U.S.-Mexico border.